Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

loud noises of refrigerator

Loud sounds coming from a refrigerator is one of our most common service calls. This means our repairmen know exactly how to diagnose the problem and correct it. Call Next Noblesville Appliance Repair today! The #1 Noblesville refrigerator repair service.

A noisy refrigerator is very annoying. If the refrigerator in your kitchen is a little noisier than normal there are some simple things that you can check while trying to find the answer. There are many fans on a refrigerator that often create loud noises. The appliance could also not be level too. Or you might have a compressor wearing out. If your refrigerator is noisier when the ice maker is working, the sounds could be from a broken a water valve.

There are some basic things that need to be checked. Like is the refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that is too could result in glass jars and other items to clink and clank together. This will create a lot of loud sounds inside of the refrigerator that’s not ideal because the refrigerator is running and producing a small vibration.

If you own a refrigerator that has a built-in water dispenser or ice maker but do not have the water connected, be positive you shut off the dispenser and ice maker. There is typically a button on the water dispenser on the refrigerator that can be used to shut off the water dispenser. And as far as the ice maker, you need to pull up the bar. If the refrigerator was installed right by a wall, it might cause the standard running sound to seem much louder than it really is. This is because of the echoing of the sound of the appliance. Slide the refrigerator out from the wall and then see if that helps at all or not. A refrigerator needs to be around 2 inches away from the rear wall to limit the sound.

If it’s not any of these basic and easier fixes, it is time to explore the issue further. The majority of the time, the refrigerator fans are the reason for a refrigerator that’s loud. There are fan blades that will often get dirty and clogged. Often times the fan motors do too. There’s a condenser fan and an evaporator on the refrigerator too. Many times the condenser fan gets a coating of dust or fuzz on it and then should be cleaned on a regular basis. If the dust gets too heavy it can wear out the bearings inside of the fan’s motor.

Clean the Fan & Refrigerator Condenser Coils

behind the refrigerator. A lot of the time you will want a screwdriver or wrench to get the back panel off from the refrigerator. Once off you’ll see a fan behind it. If it’s covered in dust and dirt, get a cloth and gently wipe it off. While you are in there you should look at the coils as well. These are typically near there and will be covered in the same dust and grime that the fan is. Cleaning the coils will only take a couple of minutes but it will certainly help the refrigerator run efficiently. This is actually a common issue that sometimes causes a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Turn the fan blades in the refrigerator. Do they spin easily? If they don’t the fan motor bearings are not working. This is an easy repair, as the fan assembly is typically a unit that can be ordered and can be replaced by just disconnecting it. However, before attempting this, be sure the refrigerator isn’t plugged in. Do this same process for the evaporator fan, which is typically located behind the freezer. This isn’t typically the issue, as this particular fan is protected within the walls of the refrigerator. But, if the noises are coming from the top of the appliance that is the area to look.

If it’s possible that it might be the compressor, the large, typically black or gray object under the refrigerator near the coils, we advise calling Next Noblesville Appliance Repair. That is not a repair a homeowner should attempt.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES